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Arsenal 2-2 City: Talking Points

lun. 03 avr. 2017, 3:39

After Manchester City's 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday, Club journalist Rob Pollard has taken a closer look at the game.

City shade it

A 2-2 draw away at Arsenal may, on the surface, look like a decent result – but given City were largely in control and twice took the lead means a feeling of disappointment pervaded at the full-time whistle.

City had 56 per cent possession, which is more than any away side have managed at the Emirates this season in the Premier League, and registered 14 shots to Arsenal’s eight.

They also had more corners (eight to Arsenal’s three), ran further (115km to 109km) and completed far more passes (510 to 408).

Sane’s hot streak continues

Leroy Sane opened the scoring at the Emirates after outpacing Hector Bellerin before rounding David Ospina to score.

It was his eighth goal in 15 matches in all competitions – a hot streak that began when he scored his first City goal in the home win over Arsenal back in December. Incredibly, those eight goals have been proffered from just 13 shots on target.

It’s turning into a dream debut season in English football for Sane. He’s frighteningly quick – a huge advantage in the Premier League – but he’s also devastatingly direct. Defenders can’t handle him, even a top-class performer like Bellerin.

After a slow start, Sane is now showing everyone what he is capable of. He has everything he needs to be one of Europe’s best.

Lethal Aguero

Sergio Aguero’s strike just before half time was his 26th of the season so far - the latest example of his supreme instincts inside the area.

The ball fell to David Silva in the area and the Spaniard waited until Nacho Monreal had committed and left space in behind before slipping the ball to Aguero, who took one touch to steady himself before unleashing a powerful drive that Ospina could do nothing about. Lethal.

This was Aguero’s 150th start in the Premier League since he arrived at City in 2011, scoring 108 goals – an immaculate record that deserves more recognition. Of his 14 Premier League goals so far this term, 10 (71 per cent) have come away from home.

In four of his five full seasons at the Club, Aguero has scored 28 goals or more and is now well on course to do so again.

City’s engine room purring

Fernandinho was back to his best on Sunday with a tireless display in front of the back four that gave City the upper hand in the middle of the pitch.

And next to him was Kevin De Bruyne, whose deeper role this season has been questioned in certain quarters.

Some believe he is better higher up the field – but his brilliant throughball for Sane’s opener was his 13th assist of the season in all competitions, more than he managed in his debut season at the Club playing in an advanced midfield position.

It’s a position that suits him, allowing him to conduct City’s play from deep with his magnificent range of passing.

Up next

City face league leaders Chelsea on Wednesday evening in another crucial game.

Antonio Conte’s side remain seven points clear at the top of the table, despite their defeat to Crystal Palace at the weekend, while City sit third, five points ahead of Manchester United who have a game in hand.

The race to land a Champions League place looks set to be a tight one.